Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has ordered the suspension of state transport bus services to Karnataka after an MSRTC bus was attacked in Chitradurga. The incident took place around 9.10 pm on Friday, when pro-Kannada activists targeted the bus traveling from Bengaluru to Mumbai. The driver, Bhaskar Jadhav, was assaulted, and his face was blackened.
Government Seeks Clarity from Karnataka
Following the attack, Sarnaik stated that services would not resume unless Karnataka clarified its position on the issue. A police case has been registered in Karnataka regarding the assault. Authorities are investigating whether the attack was linked to another incident in Belagavi on the same day.
Tensions in Belagavi Over Language Issue
On the outskirts of Belagavi, a Karnataka transport corporation bus conductor was allegedly assaulted for not responding to a girl in Marathi. The 51-year-old conductor, Mahadevappa Hukkeri, claimed that a group attacked him after he informed a Marathi-speaking girl that he only knew Kannada.
Legal Action and Arrests
Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the assault on the Karnataka conductor. However, the conductor has also been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act based on a counter-complaint filed by the 14-year-old girl. Authorities are still investigating both cases.
Protests and Rising Border Tensions
Following the incidents, pro-Kannada activists staged protests, blocking roads and burning effigies in Belagavi. The protests were swiftly controlled by the police. Given Belagavi’s history of border disputes and its significant Marathi-speaking population, officials are working to prevent further tensions.
Authorities Call for Peace
Belagavi Police Commissioner Iada Martin Marbaniang assured that all accused individuals would be arrested soon. He emphasized the need for a fair investigation and urged people to maintain peace. Karnataka officials have also coordinated with neighboring districts to ensure law and order.
Conclusion
The recent incidents have heightened tensions between Maharashtra and Karnataka. With both states monitoring the situation closely, authorities are working to maintain order while investigating the underlying causes of these attacks.
